Friday, July 22, 2011

Our theme for Sepia Saturday is recognition of the amazing work of NASA's Space Program. The first manned Lunar Landing in 1969 is something I will always remember. Where I was and what I was doing: My dad had the old black and white TV on a 40 foot extension cord in the driveway. He was doing an oil change on the giant blue Mercury station wagon and didn't want to miss a minute of Apollo 11and the first moon landing. I was on my way to the mall for some serious shopping - mini skirts and such - but I stopped to see what he was doing. Together we watched the grainy sights and crackling sounds of the landing. A few days later I received the above envelope - Dad had thoughtfully sent one for each of his 7 children to be postmarked on the U.S. Navy Recovery ship Hornet!

Hornet CV-12 played a major roll in the Pacific during WWII, earning 9 battle stars. She also served during during peacetime, the Cold War and Vietnam The Hornet then became the recovery ship for both manned and unmanned Apollo space flights. This was not her first recovery assignment. Hornet was part of the Operation Magic Carpet operation which brought hundreds of thousands of soldiers home after WWII ended.

Coming Home! Operation Magic Carpet 1945/46

Recovered Apollo Space Capsule

The Hornet is now stationed in Alameda California as the USS Hornet Museum. The exhibit includes the Apollo 11 Space Capsule

First Day of Issue - Man on the Moon

My father had this First Day of Issue stamp, and postmarks and envelope sent to me in 1969 as well.

Footsteps and our Flag on the Moon

President Nixon greets our Brave Astronauts

Armstrong, Collins and Aldrin were put in quarantine aboard the Hornet. NASA wanted to be sure they only came back with Moon rocks.

Where the Apollo Missions Left Footprints

A Pre-Apollo Space Shot for Postcard Friendship Friday

We've just this week come to the end of a great and exciting era. We'll always remember those brave men and women who traveled into the true unknown to explore and to advance our knowledge of the universe. Some came back, others did not.

Wow! How cool is that?!!!! A souvenir to treasure and memories to cherish. Mr. Dragon and I were lucky enough to be invited to a shuttle launch ... an amazing experience. So sad they are no more ... the only real research and development the US did. Happy PFF!

What a great post! Nice to have my old mind nudged to remember some of the awesome things that have gone before. And thanks for deciphering the message on the card I found. Happy PFF and a good weekend! Carol

Oh thank you, my goodness your post read like a magic carpet ride as well, but can you guess my most favorite of all the great photos is of the two men on the moon...the last closing photo is awesome! So awsome if it were me, I'd probably open the post with that one...it's great!

What a fantastic souvenir! Your father was indeed thoughtful and insightful. He knew it was history in the making and he gave each of you a piece of it. How marvelous! Thanks so much for a delightful post!

Nicely done. Brought back the memory of listening to the radio when Armstrong walked on the moon. Our family was on summer vacation and camping. The radio report let my imagination see the event and made it that more vivid.

Came by for a visit and was happy to see your post about the Hornet! If you've read my blog this summer you'll see that I did a post about our day trip there and LOTS of photos! We thoroughly enjoyed it and I plan to return again.... without the kids, so I can really take my time and read all the exhibits because we didn't get to really do that with the kids in tow. ha ha